Kindness Feeds the Heart

We are finally getting a snow day here in North Carolina.  I know all of those folks back home are sick to death of snow but here in the south we enjoy it.  My son is so happy because he has been struggling with a cold.  So we are relaxing and I am uploading some cards I made.  This one is from Mo's Digital Pencil.  I will always love Mo's images.  I colored with Copics and added some chunky glitter for snow.

This second image is from Penny Black.  I love this stamp set.  I created this card for a friend that sent me a birthday gift this last week.  Stamping friends are truly the nicest people.  Not only do they share their love for this craft but also their Christian faith too.  

Lastly, we just returned from a surprise cruise that my husband planned with all our children for my birthday.  I knew nothing about it.  They were sneaky.  It is the first vacation we have all been together in  10 years.  It is hard when your kids grow up and have jobs.  I feel so blessed to have spent a week with them.  This was my view on one of those special days:  

Hope you are all staying warm and cozy.  Have a blessed day.

Just "Chicken" In

Wow it has been a long time since I posted on my blog.  So much has happened in the last 5 months.  Many changes in our household.  Some are great.  Some not so great.  But that is just how life goes.  

I created this little chicken card to send out to my family and some cold friends in the Midwest.  I used all my old unloved Spellbinders dies.  They were so anxious to come out and play.  How could I refuse their pleas.  I chose the egg, banner, hearts and a circle punch for the eyes.  I embossed the body with my heart folder.  Just a simple creation packed with love.  

I have spent a great deal of time back home this fall and winter.  My dad has not been well and we had some quality time at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago.  He has gone through rehab now for a stroke and surgery for a brain bleed.  It was some scary times.  Hug on your loved ones every day.  Each day is a blessing.  Christmas day I shot this photo as we walked to an outdoor hay ride.  My dad usually drives but my brother stepped in this year.  We always freeze but sing at the top of our lungs and then come back to the farm for hot chocolate.  What could be better than that?  

I also started on a weight loss/get healthy journey last January.  I have had amazing results.  When you are my age it is extremely difficult to lose weight but I am on track.  I also started working out at a Crossfit gym and have made so many wonderful Christian friends. I think God pointed me in the right direction on this one.  But then again doesn't he always.  Lastly I am so proud of this bunch.  They are all my pride and joy and it is a blessing to be their mom.  

Hopefully I still have  few followers out there.  I know many of you have emailed me or messaged me on Facebook wondering where I have been.  Quality family time.  Hoping that 2014 will be a better year for my family but still feel very thankful for what I have and what is yet to come.  

Just Breathe

This weekend we took a trip over to the mountains..That is one of the wonderful

things about NC.. You get the mountains and the ocean.  We hiked for 4 hours

to the top of Chimney Rock.  It has an elevation of over 2000 ft. Half way to

the top you can see this magnificent waterfall.. At the top of the

mountain there is an American flag and a breathtaking view.  Well

I was breathless as we had just climbed hundreds of stairs..LOL

In true NC style we saw some snakes at the bottom of the falls.

These are nonvenemous but aggressive. (the guide told us that

after we were close to them) eeks.. 

My baby is in the playoffs right now.. He is doing great.  Two homeruns

this last game.  :)

This week is Release Week at Flourishes and then next week is

full of Dirty Dozen goodies.. So stay tuned. 
How is your summer going????

Creating Away

Just a quick post and then I am off.... My time is taken up with the above..:)

I am also moving my crafting space, spending time with my sweet daughters

and getting ready for a huge blog hop this weekend. 

Operation Write Home is having a Memorial Day Blog Hop.

I have been working on some blog candy for the hop..So stop

back soon. 

DON'T FORGET THAT THERE IS ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT IN MY MEGA

BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY... Check it out HERE.

Enter as often as you like.  If you have a favorite quote I would

love to hear it... I will pick a winner on June 1st.. If you like this blog

candy be sure to come by this weekend for another one...

Where is Dawn????

Shall we compare our hearts to a garden -

with beautiful blooms, straggling weeds,

swooping birds and sunshine, rain -and most importantly, seeds.

~Grey Livingston

It has been crazy busy here at the Burnworth house.. I thought I

would show you a few pictures of what I have been doing.  My son

tried out for a team a month ago and much to his dismay they didn't

feel he was ready for this team so they bumped him down a level to

play with the younger kids.  He was so disheartened..... SO what have

I been doing. I have been out practicing

with him each and every day.  I am happy

to report that last Saturday he hit a grand

slam home run..   This mom's heart now

feels a little better too. 

I have also been working in my garden.  This is the first time I have planted a garden in 25 years.
It feels so good to get my hands dirty.. I am happy to say it is actually growing.. 

I will be back with a card soon. I also have a tutorial over at Flourishes this Friday so be sure to
check it out..

Family Time

I am taking a short break from stamping and spending time with these lovely children.. My girls are all here for the holiday.. We will laugh, love and live in these precious moments.

Can you tell my son is spoiled rotten?

My sister recently sent this prayer to me and it really meant alot.. I don't get to see her often as we live 5 states apart but she is always there for me..

Dear Lord,

There are so many wonderful people I love and I ask Your  forgiveness and theirs-for not

letting them know all the times that I could how they're kept in my thoughts and prayers.

How the things that can seem so important each day really mean nothing at all

compared to the warmth and blessings we share in a visit, a letter, or a call. 

So please help me to remember there'll always be time to accomplish the things I must do, but the memories we make with the ones we love are the treasures that last

all life through....Emily Matthews.

Have a blessed holiday and spend lots of time with the ones you treasure..